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Millions overcharged for German cars

The European Commission is investigating BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen for allegedly colluding since the 1990sSILAS STEIN/DPA/AFP/Getty

Millions of British motorists may be owed compensation for overpriced cars, campaigners said yesterday, after an inquiry was confirmed into allegations of a cartel by leading German manufacturers.

The European Commission is investigating BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen for allegedly colluding over emissions, engines, brakes and other components and technologies in secret meetings dating back to the 1990s.

Almost one in three new cars registered in Britain was made by the German companies, amounting to about 800,000 vehicles last year and millions in total on British roads. Fines and compensation claims could eclipse the diesel emissions scandal that has cost VW about €25 billion worldwide.

The European Commission, or Germany’s federal competition authority, has the power to fine companies up to 10 per cent of annual…